You’re supposed to get money out of an automated teller machine but, according to a consumer group, a huge amount of money flows the other way – in the form of “unfair, unnecessary and excessive ATM fees.”

The New York Public Interest Research Group examined fees charged by 106 banks across the state – 67 of them in metropolitan areas – and found that nearly all charge a fee to other banks’ customers for using an ATM.

And nearly 90 percent charge their own customers for withdrawing money from another bank’s machine.

“ATMs save banks enormous amounts of money, because there are no employees to pay and maintenance of an ATM is significantly less than that of a full-service bank branch,” said Tracy Shelton, a NYPIRG lawyer. “Further, ATM fees are used by large banks with extensive ATM networks to punish depositors and encourage them to leave smaller banks and credit unions.

“This anti-competitive strategy is contrary to the public’s interest in seeing banks compete for market share through lower prices and better services.”

Fees in the area range from a high of $2, at Key Bank in White Plains, to a low of 50 cents, at the Queens County Savings Bank in Flushing.

Key Bank also topped the list for “foreign” ATM fees, those charged to their own customers who withdraw money from another bank.

On the bargain side, Atlantic Liberty Savings Bank, on Montague Street in Brooklyn Heights, allows its customers to use any ATM without an additional charge.

The survey also found that nearly two-thirds of the banks charged their customers when they checked their balance at another bank’s ATM.

“A lot of people don’t realize that they’re paying these fees,” Shelton said.

MONEY IN THE BANK

Bank: Key Bank, White Pains

Surcharge to other banks’ customers: $2.00

Foreign ATM charge to own customers using others’ ATMs to withdraw money: $2.00

Foreign ATM charge to own customers using others’ ATMs to check balance: $2.00

Debit card fee: $ 0.25

Bank: PNC Bank, Staten Island

Surcharge to other banks’ customers: $1.75

Foreign ATM charge to own customers using others’ ATMs to withdraw money: $1.50

Foreign ATM charge to own customers using others’ ATMs to check balance: $1.50

Debit card fee: None

Bank: Flushing Savings Bank, Bayside

Surcharge to other banks’ customers: $1.50

Foreign ATM charge to own customers using others’ ATMs to withdraw money: $1.50

Foreign ATM charge to own customers using others’ ATMs to check balance: $1.50

Debit card fee: $1.50

Bank: Dime Savings Bank, Brooklyn, Staten Island and Maspeth

Surcharge to other banks’ customers: $1.50

Foreign ATM charge to own customers using others’ ATMs to withdraw money: $1.50

Foreign ATM charge to own customers using others’ ATMs to check balance: $1.50

Debit card fee: $1.50

Bank: Dime Savings Bank of Williamsburg, Bayside

Surcharge to other banks’ customers: $1.50

Foreign ATM charge to own customers using others’ ATMs to withdraw money: $1.50

Foreign ATM charge to own customers using others’ ATMs to check balance: None